Calculating Inclination of an Air Hockey Table

[Aiko]

Homework Statement

A physics student playing with an air hockey table (a frictionless surface) finds that if she gives the puck a velocity of 3.86 m/s along the length ( 1.79 m) of the table at one end, by the time it has reached the other end the puck has drifted a distance 2.40 cm to the right but still has a velocity component along the length of 3.86 m/s. She concludes correctly that the table is not level and correctly calculates its inclination from the above information.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't know how to relate velocity to force. The velocity is constant so all net force equations equal to zero. I have no clue how to really start.

 

[Defennder]

No there is a net force which pulls the puck to the right as it reaches the end of the table. The reason why the net force (gravity) doesn't affect the velocity of the puck is because it acts sideways to the velocity of travel of the puck, much like in circular motion.

 

[Aiko]

No there is a net force which pulls the puck to the right as it reaches the end of the table. The reason why the net force (gravity) doesn't affect the velocity of the puck is because it acts sideways to the velocity of travel of the puck, much like in circular motion.

If I set the coordinate system on the puck (which is on an incline plane), the force of gravity would be the only force acting on it in the x-direction, thus why it moves. Would it equal to zero or ma? It has a constant velocity in one direction.